Introduction
Most of the renowned historic sites are characterised by valuable features that make them beneficial to people interested in historical sites. Just like such sites, Randwick is a beneficial site for historians, architects and town planners. Randwick local government Area (LGA) is located in the eastern part of Sydney. It covers an area of 3.742 hectares and includes Suburbs of Kensington, Randwick, Cloverly, Kingsford, Coogee, South Coogee, Maroubra, Matraville, Malabar, Chifley, Little Bay, Phillip Bay and La Perouse. This LGA is comprised of several important sites including cultural and heritage sites especially in Northern suburbs, many open spaces and major facilities constituting of more than 70 parks and reserves and educational institutions such as the University of New South Wales, TAFE, and many schools (Randwick City Council, 2009). This paper will focus on Randwick Local government and the issues that require focus.
Social Issues
Changes in population and the characteristics of the communities are some of the social issues to be considered. Governments rely on important mechanisms like the census to estimate population changes and future demographic characteristics. It can therefore be said that observing the characteristics of a community is significant and effective in planning decision making processes.
Population Growth
The population growth in Randwick LGA can be illustrated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) together with the estimated figures of 2011, 2016 and 2021. For example, the population in 2001 was 121,497 people according to the ABS statistics while in 2006, the figure increased by 128,003 people which is more than 5%. The results of 2011 census have not yet been released but the ABS has given an estimated figure of 129,351 people. The comparison between the change in population in these years and the predicted population in 2016 and 2021 is shown in figure 1.
Social Isolation
Social isolation is an issue affecting the society in Randwick. For instance, it has been reported in the Randwick City Plan that senior citizens and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are the most likely to be isolated. Moreover, it is evident from table one that approximately 12.6 per cent of Randwick population live alone (ABS, 2006). An effective program is therefore required to deal with this social issue and its impact.
Table 1: The information about people living alone in Randwick LGA
Transport
Randwick City Council (2003) reports several issues related to transport in Randwick Local Government Area. These issues include public transport, travelling behaviour, parking and the accessibility to development.
Public Transport
In terms of the improvement in public transport system, Randwick LGA has appropriate infrastructure which seeks to reintroduce a major surface transport system (Randwick City Council, 2003). This can be seen from the high number of roads that have been constructed in LGA. They include Anzac Parade, Gardeners Road and Alison Road. In Anzac Parade which is a 6-lane road, the major transport system can be accommodated due to the spare capacity (Randwick City Council, 2003).
In addition, public transport network seems to be effective in the north of Randwick in linking Randwick local areas to either the Sydney Central Business District or the University of New South Wales. This can be observed from the bus network which facilitates travelling between Randwick local areas in the Northern part and other important places (Levy, 2010). However, this network seems insufficient when using local public transport such as buses. As a result, the public transport network still needs more improvement although this part of Randwick LGA has many attractive historic sites. According to Randwick City Council (2010), the level of public transport services in the north of Randwick is low as shown in figure two.
The other key challenge standing on the way of improving transport in Randwick LGA is the decrease in private vehicles operating in the area (Randwick City Council, 2003). In other words, the attraction of users of private vehicles by public transport to change their travelling behaviour can be considered as a key issue. The future improvement of public transport system in Randwick LGA involves both light rail and heavy rail besides the network of buses.
Alternative Transport
Alternative transport means in Randwick LGA such as cycling and walking need more improvement to encourage the residents of this area to change their travelling behaviour. Cycling would be one of the useful private vehicle alternatives for those travelling locally. Consequently, safe cycleway routes are needed in this area especially on key Roads within the Randwick LGA. Pedestrian networks and safety at intersections also need improvement. About 400 kilometres of paved footpaths need to be maintained in terms of safety, integration with major land uses, services, and other transport networks (Randwick City Council (2006).
Housing
The issue of housing is another significant one that requires government consideration. The relationship between supply and demand in terms of housing and how it would affect the population requires sufficient attention. Indeed, the government attempts to balance between supply of dwellings and demand in housing markets and sub-markets which is called the equilibrium. However, the question of what would be the potential challenges if the planning does not reach the equilibrium in terms of housing remains. The shortage of housing for example is one of the challenges affecting social environment. Moreover, the lack of affordable housing can be considered as a key issue in the housing sector. Lack of affordable housing is caused by the increase in property values and rents as a result of redevelopment and the replacement of many older dwellings (Randwick City Council, 2006).
Environmental and Heritage Issues
Environmental issues require government consideration before planning decision making. These concerns involve environmental protection, heritage conservation and improvement of the quality of life especially when governments are required to provide decisions about significant projects and developments covering huge pieces of land (Whitehouse, 1993). Many environmental issues are existing in Randwick LGA. The significant reduction of biodiversity in this area is one of these issues. According to Randwick City Council (2004) there are many threatened species in Randwick since the original remnant vegetation remaining is approximately 7 per cent.
Moreover, air pollution which affects the quality of air is another environmental issue. This type of pollution has many sources with green house gases generated by motor vehicles being the major source. With respect to heritage, Randwick LGA has many heritage items and conservation areas. A total of 432 heritage items and 19 heritage conservation areas in Randwick have been reported in the Randwick City Plan of 2003-04. As a result of air pollution, poor maintenance and additions, the significance of some of these properties has been affected and damaged (Randwick City Council, 2004). However, the development of part of the properties located in the conservation areas has also been affected by a strict regulation. This makes it important for balancing to be conducted.
Economic Drivers
The economy in Randwick LGA is driven by two significant centres and many commercial and retail shops. The first centre located in the northern part of Randwick is the Health and Education Specialised Centre comprising of UNSW and the Randwick Hospitals Complex. The second is the Port Botany and Environs Specialised Centre located in the southern part of LGA which are both linked by Anzac Parade (Randwick City Council, 2008). The town centres also carry out some business activities besides the commercial and retail shops.
Recent Strategies
There are recent strategies that can be considered appropriate for the future development of Randwick LGA. First of all, Sydney 2030 Vision has many strategies that can work effectively in Randwick LGA. This can be seen from the environmental and transport strategies which aim at providing sustainable development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing economic competitiveness. This strategy also provides effective objectives and actions in terms of pedestrians and cycle paths. Moreover, in Sydney 2030 Vision, the second objective and its action in the social and economic strategy seems to be useful in minimising social isolation issues in Randwick LGA.
Housing strategy in the 2030 Vision of Sydney focuses on many valuable objectives and actions involving provision of diversity in housing and promoting growth of affordable housing. Penrith Draft Urban Strategy also has some suitable objectives and actions for Randwick LGA. This can be seen from the key issues in public transport, the environment and affordable housing besides the effective actions which include improvement in public transport, protection of the environment and reduction of the impact of global warming. It would be a useful strategy for Randwick LGA to use a combination of these strategies instead of using one because none of them has exactly similar characteristics to Randwick LGA.
Conclusion
Randwick LGA has faced various key issues including housing, social, transport and environmental issues. Some of the social issues in Randwick such as isolation need to be addressed because they might bring negative results. For example, people of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds are likely to face isolation. Transportation issues such as making public transport effective should also be addressed. Unless public transport is improved, travellers will prefer using private means of transport. These issues require sufficient attention to prepare a useful strategy for Randwick. The government should also consider housing issues because they are critical. It is important to address the issue because of the ever increasing population. Increase in population also brings about environmental issues such as air pollution which should also be dealt with appropriately. The strategies of dealing with the issues would be more effective if they are combined with other recent strategies such as Sydney 2030 Vision and Penrith Draft Urban Strategy.
Reference List
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Levy, A. 2010. Master Plan Transport and Access Study. Web.
Randwick City Council. 2004. The Randwick City Plan: Comprehensive State of the Environment Report 2003/04 Background Paper. Web.
Randwick City Council. 2006. The Randwick City Plan: A 20-year Plan. Web.
Randwick City Council. 2008. Randwick Economic Development Strategy. Web.
Randwick City Council. Randwick City Council Management Plan 2009 – 13. Web.
Whitehouse, J. (1993). The relationship between Mining and Planning Law in NSW, paper presented to the Mining Law Short Course. Key Centre for Mines, UNSW, pp. 12-16.